Jakarta threat may have Bali link

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Indonesian police believe two of the Bali bombing masterminds
may be behind the latest threats to Australians and other
westerners in Jakarta.

Australians in Jakarta have been specifically warned to expect
bomb attacks in the lobbies of hotels frequented by Westerners.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a
new warning about such attacks in the wake of information from
United States officials.

The US embassy reopened on Tuesday after closing for several
days following an unspecified security threat.

Police in Jakarta have called on hotels to beef up security, but
most already have tough checks in place following the car bombing
in 2003 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta which killed 12
people.

"New information suggests extremists are planning to conduct
bomb attacks targeting the lobbies of hotels frequented by
Westerners in Jakarta to occur around noon on an unspecified date,"
the DFAT update says.

"The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (POLRI) ... identifies as
potential targets a number of other places frequented by
foreigners, in particular embassies, international schools, office
buildings and shopping malls.

"While no timeframes are indicated in this information, it
reinforces our assessment that terrorists are in the very advanced
stages of planning attacks.

"Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and
could be directed at any locations known to be frequented by
foreigners."

Jakarta police chief General Da'i Bachtiar confirmed the threat,
adding it may be the work of known terrorists.

"Azahari and his ilk may be linked to the threat," General
Bachtiar told the Jakarta Post.

Two Malaysian nationals, Azahari Husin and Noordin Mohammad Top,
who are still at large, are believed to be behind the Bali
bombings, the JW Marriott Hotel attack and the bombing outside the
Australian embassy last year.

Terror expert Dr Clive Williams said the pair were the likely
suspects behind the threat.

"Azahari and Top are the two people that have been responsible
for recent bombings," Dr Williams said.

"They are the likely suspects. They are the planners and would
use one of their volunteers ready to sacrifice themselves."

Dr Williams said that security upgrades near embassies and
hotels meant it was becoming harder to effectively detonate a car
bomb and it was more likely the next attack would involve a suicide
bomber going into a building.

He said the period from August to December seemed to be the most
popular time for terrorist attacks in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian embassy in Canberra is stepping up its
security after a scare involving a white powder in an envelope and
an abusive letter.

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
Indonesian embassy and consular offices in Australia would purchase
special devices to screen all letters.

The embassy was closed for two days after the discovery of the
envelope, which tests showed did not contain any harmful
substance.

It is believed the letter may have been triggered by outrage
over the jailing of Gold Coast woman Schapelle Corby over drug
charges in Bali.

Indonesian and Australian Federal Police as well as Victorian
state police are believed to be making progress on the case.

An investigation is also continuing into a parcel containing a
sealed plastic bag of white powder addressed to Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer, which was intercepted at the parliament house
mail room yesterday.